Energy

A short case study in Lean Urbanism, compliments of Victoria Beach, Manitoba.

August 19, 2014 - PlaceShakers

A bill will attempt to bring some equity to the flagrantly inequitable rebate program that subsidizes purchases of Electric Vehicles. Additional subsidies would be directed to low income families. Rebates could also be used for car share and transit.

August 19, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

It could be as low as nine cents per gallon, or as high as 76 cents, writes UC Berkeley energy expert Severin Borenstein. On January 1, transportation fuels are included under California's landmark cap and trade program.

August 15, 2014 - greentechmedia

Unlike Texas and N.D, Alaska's oil production peaked in 1988 and continues to decline. An upcoming referendum on oil taxes threatens to reduce energy investment. The North Slope pipeline is carrying such low oil volumes to endanger its safety.

August 14, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

The city of Berkeley is undergoing a pilot installation of permeable pavement for a road calming project by Berkeley High School. The pilot has better storm water drainage, a smaller carbon footprint, and less maintenance than traditional asphalt.

August 13, 2014 - Berkeleyside

Cities and suburbs face billions of dollars in investments and repairs to comply with Clean Water Act standards. The NRDC outlines some of the urban water conservation methods municipalities can take to reduce stress on these infrastructure systems.

August 13, 2014 - The Natural Resources Defense Council

When we last reported, two anti-fracking initiatives were circulating. Since then, two industry backed, pro-fracking initiatives were set to join them on the November ballot. Gov. John Hickenlooper struck an agreement to remove all four measures.

August 12, 2014 - The Denver Post

An examination of the challenges facing the solar industry in Southeastern states, like Virginia, South Carolina, and Florida, where utilities and governments have largely blocked residents and businesses from tapping their solar resources.

August 11, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

The new paper, "A Roadmap for Repowering California for all Purposes with Wind, Water, and Sunlight," discusses the potential clean energy future for the Golden State by 2050.

August 7, 2014 - Pacific Standard

That's the question facing the nation's largest environmental organization (not the Sierra Club but The Nature Conservancy) regarding the management of its preserve in Texas. There is no question for Naomi Klein, who writes about it in her new book.

August 6, 2014 - The New York Times

Thinking about "renewable power" often bring hydroelectric, wind, and solar to mind. The informed will recognize geothermal and biomass as major renewables. Biogas, the non-fossil natural gas, is not well known because few facilities capture it.

August 4, 2014 - EPA Blog

A dispatch from Williston, North Dakota, the epicenter of boom conditions compared to the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 19th century. Whether the city has benefitted or suffered from the current oil boom, is a matter of perspective.

July 31, 2014 - Guardian Cities

Housing 120 units, the first net-zero energy transit-oriented development complex in South Sacramento will feature a rooftop farm and resident-run onsite bicycle repair.

July 30, 2014 - Sacramento Bee

The fracking rebellion has finally spread to The Lone Star State. Citizens of Denton have had enough with environmental woes from fracking close to homes and gathered signatures. Plus: the outcome of litigation against Colorado 's first fracking ban.

July 28, 2014 - The Texas Tribune

Can one small port city make a difference? South Portland, home to an oil tanker facility that has long received crude from abroad, has blocked the owner from exporting tar sands crude and hopes to spur other cities to act.

July 25, 2014 - NPR

A deal may be near between energy and rail industries and the Department of Transportation to phase out the DOT-111 tank car—the same kind implicated in the horrific explosions of oil trains, particularly those carry Bakken crude from North Dakota.

July 23, 2014 - Bloomberg BusinessWeek

A study investigates the effect of air conditioning systems on air temperature and electricity demand. The study's findings: the release of waste heat (via AC systems) exacerbates the nocturnal urban heat island, thus increasing cooling demands.

July 23, 2014 - Treehugger

Construction began July 16 on the Petra Nova project, 27 miles from Houston. President Obama and many climate experts are banking on CCS to mitigate carbon emissions from the world's largest source of carbon emissions: coal burning power plants.

July 22, 2014 - Reuters

Organizers for a statewide measure to allow cities to ban fracking admitted to having insufficient signatures for placement on the November ballot. They will try again for 2016. Organizers hope to qualify two other initiatives to restrict fracking.

July 20, 2014 - The Colorado Observer

Energy is the key to the economy, so it should be used wisely. A new report shows that the United States performs very poorly in making the most of its resources.

July 18, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal